The Four Seasons of Flower Gardening

When most people think of flower gardening, they think of spring and summer flowers. But why limit yourself? With a little planning and planting ahead of time, you can enjoy your flower garden almost year round. In this article, we'll take a look at the four seasons and some flowers that do well during different times of the year.

Spring Flowers

Let's start with spring. When you think of spring flowers, think bulbs. Some of the more popular bulbs include tulips, daffodils, crocuses and hyacinths. Spring flowering bulbs are generally planted mid autumn and can be placed in the garden in corners, as borders or throughout beds of annuals and perennials. They are easy to grow and do well in both the sun and partial shade. As always, follow the specific instructions that come with the flowers that you purchase.

Summer Flowers

As we move into summer, perennials are a definite favorite since they bloom bloom year after year. Choose perennials that are long blooming or that repeat bloom to get the most enjoyment from them. These include Campanula (Bellflower), Coreopsis (Tickseed), Centranthus (Red Valerian), Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) and many others. Perennials require regular maintenance to keep them looking good year after year. Consider planting in large blocks of color of the biggest impact.

Fall Flowers

With a little extra planning and work, you can enjoy your flower garden even into the fall by including some late blooming perennials. Some of the choices include Rudbeckia (Black-Eyed Susan), Colchicum speciosum (Autumn Crocus), Chrysanthemum x morifolium (Hardy Mum),  Solidago (Goldenrod), various asters and many others. When planting, keep in mind that fall bloomers can grow to 3-4 feet in height and tend to become top heavy when they bloom, so they may require staking or pruning to keep them from falling over. Try some ornamental grasses to add more interest to your garden during the fall.

Winter Flowers

There is not much outdoor gardening to be done in the winter. However, you can bring some color and beauty into your home by purchasing cut flowers. Place some near windows, and as you look out you can enjoy the illusion that you are looking out into your garden. They will brighten your mood and help get you through til spring when you can get back outside and enjoy your garden again!